Christmas Fiction Book Review: The Christmas Spirits on Tradd Street by Karen White

 

The Tradd Street series continues with this seasonal offering from Karen White. The Christmas Spirits on Tradd Street finds Melanie Trenholm overwhelmed with Christmas preparations, Marc Longo's continuing attempts to own her house, the ongoing excavation of the cistern in the garden of her historic home, and the ghosts that have connections to artifacts discovered in the cistern by local students under the direction of Melanie's best friend, Sophie. It sure doesn't sound like their will be much holiday cheer for Melanie and Jack's first Christmas with their twins. 

The Christmas Spirits on Tradd Street is another fabulous addition to the Tradd Street series. As Melanie prepares for Christmas and the progressive dinner, which is a beloved holiday tradition in Charleston, she works to help Jack figure out clues that could lead to a fabulous new novel. 

Filled with familiar characters and a few new ones, this is a story where White puts Melanie's relationships to the test. The decision didn't sit well with some readers, but it worked well for me. Here's why:

• Melanie and her parents: Melanie continues to struggle with being abandoned by her mother and being left to care for her alcoholic father. This rings true for me. (SPOILER AHEAD) Just because her parents are back together and both in her life, doesn't mean that all is forgotten. That Melanie still battles those demons is not something that surprises me.
• Melanie and her sister: (SPOILER AHEAD) In the previous book, Melanie learns she has a half-sister named Jayne. While Melanie is still struggling to forgive her parents, she also has to cope with learning she isn't an only child. Sounds easy, right? She shouldn't be jealous of Jayne and how her parents are so welcoming to her, right? Pretty much, Melanie has been lied to, abandoned, and put in a position from a very young age to play the role of parent instead of being able to be a child. She may see how welcoming her parents are to Jayne as another betrayal. 
• Melanie and Rebecca: (SPOILER AHEAD) Melanie couldn't really stand her cousin before, but once Rebecca married Marc Longo, it further strained their relationship. Though Rebecca has said family means everything to her, she is still married to the man who is trying to steal everything that Melanie and Jack hold dear. For Melanie, it again comes down to a matter of trust. 
• Melanie and Jack: Melanie's past taints her relationship with her husband as much as Jack's past presents challenges they deal with now and into the future. Melanie finds it hard to trust anyone or to ask anyone for help. From early on she had to do things herself, so that's how she is comfortable operating. Just because Jack tells her he loves her and she can trust him, won't change that. Jack is clearly defined by his career as a writer. When he experiences writer's block or is having issues with his agent, he is easily depressed. That's understandable, but also leads to more issues between Mellie and Jack. Because Mellie doesn't want to add more stress and worry on his plate, she keeps things to herself and tries to figure them out alone--which often puts her in danger and makes Jack angry. 

There is only one thing that bugged me about this book: the ending. I'm not a fan of cliffhangers to begin with, but one character acted so much unlike himself that I'm disappointed. 

If I had to sum up The Christmas Spirits on Tradd Street in one sentence, it would be: this is a story where a past betrayal leads Melanie and Jack on a quest to uncover clues about a treasure that could either save them or end up destroying all they hold dear. 

Hardcover : 384 pages

ISBN-13 : 978-0451475244

Publisher : Berkley (October 22, 2019)

I received this book as a gift. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way. I whited out information in my review in case readers haven't read earlier books in the series.